New season, same hopes for Trojans
Hillsboro boys primed to
end 3A semifinal heartbreak
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
The sand in the hourglass is rapidly running out for the senior trio of Eric Weinbrenner, Dan Deckert, and Derek Hamm to do what is expected for all good Trojan teams — win a state championship.
The Trojans have come so close the last two years to adding a fourth title. But they've tripped on the Class 3A semifinal hurdle and had to settle for a third place finish, having to go through perennial pest Riley County the past two seasons.
As Trojan coach Darrell Knoll begins his 17th season, this might be the best chance he'll have for a while to add the coveted fourth crown.
He's got all the tools to do it: an experienced group of seniors, all three starters from last year's 22-4 team, good height, and depth, leaving team chemistry perhaps the biggest factor.
"I think we should be pretty good by the time it's all said and done, we'll be competitive," said Knoll. "So much of doing well is having the right guys together on the floor who play well.
"We're working on the basics we work on every year, developing quality depth and making sure that we have good chemistry because ultimately, chemistry is what makes or breaks you."
Knoll should know. He hasn't racked up a career record of 312-76 by coaching teams that can't work together.
Back to head the high-octane Hillsboro offense is Weinbrenner at point guard, also the Trojans' leading scorer, averaging 11 points a game, two thefts, and three assists.
Weinbrenner runs and sees the court as good as any to come through Knoll's program, and if he gets hot from outside, opponents could be in for a long night.
The Trojans struck it rich this year with 6-2 Campus-transfer Patrick Harrison.
Harrison can play either at the two or three and he's expected to step in and contribute right away.
"He's the kind of guy who rebounds well, he shoots the ball well, and he's got a lot of things he can do on the court," Knoll said. "He knows the game and we think he'll bring some extra depth and toughness to our team."
Patrick's father, Daniel, will join Knoll and Nathan Hiebert as the Hillsboro coaches.
What the Trojans have lacked in height in the past, they've made up with quickness.
This season, Hillsboro will have both with seven players on the squad taller than 6-2.
At the head of the Trojan front court is 6-5 Derek Hamm in the post. Hamm improved as the year wore on last season, averaging seven points a game and a team-high five rebounds.
Deckert finished second to Weinbrenner in scoring with eight points a game and 4.3 rebounds.
The 6-3 swingman Deckert fits anywhere in the front court and can battle inside with the best of them.
With four-fifths of his starting lineup solid, Knoll's got a battle on his hands trying to figure out who will be the fifth.
Lucas Hamm saw a significant amount of minutes last season as a freshman.
As running back for the Trojan football team, Lucas is a 6-2 bruiser who will add some much needed muscle and toughness in the front court.
Chad Hughbanks, Peter Fast, Adam Scheele, and Wade Weibert also should figure into the front court mix after making contributions on the junior varsity team.
Another addition up front likely will be sophomore Troy Frick. He and fellow sophomore Mike Suderman will be sidelined until next year after sustaining injuries in football.
Kyle Kroeker and Macy Fadenrecht will push for time in the back court.
"The four seniors are pretty good players and we're trying to find some depth to go with them right now," said Knoll. "Kroeker's been doing a great job in practice, Macy has.
"A bunch of those guys have been working hard to maybe fill those spots at five, six, seven, and eight. They've all been working hard."
Like normal, the Trojans face another grueling schedule, opening the year in Class 4A Chapman's preseason tournament.
The midseason Trojan Classic should give Hillsboro an idea of where it stands with Thomas More Prep and Belleville most likely in attendance.
The Trojans also could renew their rivalry with Riley County during the regular season this year. Hillsboro has bumped into the Falcons at least once the last three seasons.
Other non-conference games come Jan. 4 when Hiebert faces his alma-mater in El Dorado.
Don't expect the Trojans to have an easy time defending the MCAA title if Ty Rhodes and the Hesston Swathers have anything to say about it.
The Trojans' rivalry with the Swathers has since replaced Wichita-Collegiate as the MCAA's premier game.
The Swathers often get the upper hand on Hillsboro during the regular season, but it's generally the other way around when a ticket to Hutchinson is on the line.
Collegiate and Hillsboro have had some memorable battles, but the series has been all Trojans this century.
The addition of freshmen-guard tandem Chris Harper and Jeff Evans could give Mitch Fiegel the combination he needs to rekindle the Spartan-Hillsboro rivalry.
With the realignment of the MCAA, the Hoisington Cardinals are a new stop on the Trojan schedule.
The Trojans last faced the Cardinals two seasons ago in a double-overtime wrestling match in the sub-state final.
